Reebok Watermelon Challenge: Q & A With Brodie Merrill

Now's your chance to show off your watermelon-smashing and lacrosse skills, not to mention win more than $1,000 in Reebok products.

Take video of yourself smashing watermelons and upload it with the Reebok Watermelon Challenge. Your video could win you a ton of cool gear.

The pros have done it, like Brodie Merrill. A Q and A with Merrill is below:

Where did you play lacrosse in high school, college and pro?

I grew up playing "Junior" lacrosse in Orangeville, Ontario, I did two years of prep school at Salisbury School in CT, played college at Georgetown University, and I currently play for the Edmonton Rush of the NLL and the Hamilton Nationals of the MLL.

What is your favorite Reebok product and why?

That's like asking a mother to pick her favorite child! The 10K handle and head really stand out to me. It is so tough to create a head that is different from the norm, without comprosing feel and performance. The design is so innovative and really eliminates any dead spots on the stick. I feel like I have a distinct advantage when I use the 10K.

Funniest story about a fellow Reebok guy?

Dan Dawson is a big prankster. He is notorious for calling teammates (typically rookies) after games pretending to be a local news reporter. He was close to setting up an imaginary photo shoot for one of his teammates! Any time I talk to a reporter on the phone I have to make sure it is not Dan before I proceed.

Most important part of your training/practice for lacrosse?

In lacrosse, your stick skills are so important. You have to try have have your stick in your hand as much as possible. Get to a point where it is an extension of your body.
I also think that as the game grows and evolves, fitness is becoming much more important. Your fitness is always something that you can control!

Best advice to young lacrosse players?

Commit to consistently working hard and being a reliable teammate. Those are the two characteristics that I see in the best players in the game. Also, never limit yourself as a lacrosse player. It is a game where anyone can have success if you have the right approach.

Most memorable lacrosse experience?

Winning the Gold Medal 2006 World Champioships was very memorable. We won on our home soil and it was the first time anyone had defeated the US since 1978. Also, winning the 2009 Mann Cup in 7 games. They need to make an ESPN 30 for 30 on that series. There were so many story lines. We won all four games in OT!

Remaining lacrosse goals?

My goals change and evolve every season. I try and keep them challenging but realistic, and most importantly team oriented.

Lacrosse idol?

My older brother Patrick has been my biggest lacrosse influence. He also plays in the NLL. It was such an advantage to always have someone to go outside and pass the ball around with when I was growing up. In my early days growing up in Orangeville, I looked up to guys like Bruce Codd, Josh and Phil Sanderson. I also remember watching Jim Veltman for the first time and thinking, I want to play like that guy! Guys like Gary Gait, Chris Sanderson, Pat Coyle, Pat Jones, The Powells, Colin Doyle, John Grant Jr, John Tavaras were also players that I really admired.